He had a British sire, an Asian owner, a Kiwi trainer and tasted international success

Daryl's Joy was a son of the sire, Stunning (GB) from the mare Rutha (NZ), a bloodine that goes back to Hyperion, a six time British champion sire. He was foaled in 1966, owned by Singaporean businesman, Robert Goh and was trained by Syd Brown in New Zealand and later in his career by Charlie Whittingham in the United States. New Zealand racing authorities granted Brown a trainer’s licence when he was just 20-years-old as one of the youngest ever. Originally based at Te Rapa as a young trainer, Brown eventually relocated to Woodville. Included among the winners that helped Brown both to his second premiership and being named New Zealand racing’s Personality of the Year were two juveniles, a colt named Daryl’s Joy and a filly named Woodcourt Inn (Pakistan II), and each were top class two-year-olds of their sex.

A bargain buy costing only $1,100 at the New Zealand yearling sales, he went on to win races in three different countries. Daryl’s Joy took a few races to find his feet but was New Zealand’s top rated juvenile in 1968-69, winning seven races and placing seven times in 14 starts. His major triumph was in the Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes. The following season as a three-year-old he raced exclusively in Australia. Daryl’s Joy and stablemate, Wood Court took the minor placings behind the brilliant Vain in the Ascot Stakes in their first run in Melbourne. At Moonee Valley, the Kiwi upstaged the Golden Slipper winner with a powerful finish. Vain exacted revenge in the Caulfield Guineas but Daryl’s Joy excelled over longer distances and scored hollow wins in the 1969 Cox Plate, with jockey Bill Skelton taking her to the front and staying there for a influential victory.

Daryl's Joy was dominant in the 1969 Victoria Derby, scooting away on the turn and powering to the finish line, hammering the opposition in fine style. Recalling Daryl's Joy, "the pride of New Zealand," trainer Syd Brown's elite collection, made yesteryears Victoria Derby field at Flemington look like horses of a lesser breed. A bonus was Woodcourt Inn, who took out the One Thousand Guineas at Caulfield and Brown's third horse, Hamua paid his way when he landed the Caulfield Stakes. All three of Brown’s charges that came across the Tasman were very forward in their work and ready to do justice to their abilities from the start.

After those impressive wins Robert Goh fielded many international offers for the horse and Immediately following the 1969 spring carnival, Daryl’s Joy was sold and exported to the United States. Trained by Charlie Whittingham he won four Group races at Del Mar and Santa Anita racetracks. His record in the United States was 11 starts for 6 wins, three seconds and one third. Following retirement, he stood at stud in Florida with moderate success only siring two stakes winners. Daryl’s Joy died in 1987.

Syd Brown would bring across another top young galloper in Classic Mission, but would find himself and the horse embroiled in controversy, with AJC stewards claiming he was in fact a four-year-old and not eligible for the AJC Derby. Ultimately, the AJC was compelled to acknowledge their error in determining his age based on his teeth. He went on to win the VRC Victoria Derby with George Moore in the saddle for his last ever ride in a brilliant career. He generously gave the Hambly saddle that he had used on Classic Mission to Syd Brown as a parting present.

RACE RECORD - 30: 16-9-4

EARNINGS - NZ$21,610 - A$72,930 - US$192,775

Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (1969)

Ellerslie Championship Stakes

WRC Wakefield Stakes

ARC Eclipse Stakes

W. S. Cox Plate (1969)

Victoria Derby (1969)

Moonee Valley Stakes (1969)

Oak Tree Stakes (1970)

Del Mar Handicap (1970)

Arcadia Handicap (1971)

San Luis Obispo Handicap (1971)